Mar. 15, 2010

Guy Fieri, host of The Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" laughs as Terry Carter, owner Terry's Turf Club in Linwood, shows him a six foot blow gun during their shoot Monday afternoon. / The Enquirer/Glenn Hartong.

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Guy Fieri tastes Terry Carter's chili. / The Enquirer/Glenn Hartong

Guy Fieri on TV

Guy Fieri is one of the busiest people on television. In addition to “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” Fieri hosts two other Food Network weekly series, and NBC’s new “Minute to Win It” game show. He’s also written two books about his favorite TV “Diners.”

Hamburgers stand ready for their close-ups by the camera crew. Terry’s was named Ohio’s best hamburger on the Food Network magazine’s "ultimate burgers" list last summer. / The Enquirer/Glenn Hartong

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Guy Fieri took a detour on his quest for Cincinnati chili Monday to grab a burger at Terry’s Turf Club in Linwood.

In his first day in town, the host of the Food Network’s hit “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" shot at Terry Carter’s Eastern Avenue restaurant filled with neon lights. Terry’s was named Ohio’s best hamburger on the Food Network magazine’s “ultimate burgers” list last summer.

“What a great place,” Fieri said during a break in the five-hour shoot. “I’ve been to some crazy joints, brother. This is not schtick-crazy. This is legitimately wild.”

How wild? Before Carter grilled anything Monday, he showed the TV host how he likes to blow darts from a homemade 6-foot blow gun in the cozy 53-seat eatery.

Then Carter cooked up his signature burgundy wine with wild mushroom hamburger topping for Fieri, 42, the Columbus native who owns five California restaurants. The TV host was speechless.

“The sauce itself is just great. I don’t know what else to say about it. That was good,” Fieri said.

Told that the huge burger and fries cost $7.50, Fieri called the meal “a fast-food killer. This burger and these fries for $7.50 will put fast-food out of business.”

Two weeks ago, Fieri said he was coming “on a quest for Cincinnati chili” to sample a five-way during his first visit here for his hit dining show (10 p.m. Mondays).

Instead, Fieri had chili Terry’s way – the Turf Club’s signature filet mignon chili, which also has pork loin and ground beef.

“This is one of the most unique chilis I’ve ever tried. It’s an all-meat chili. Very addictive. You take one bite, and you want another,” Fieri said.

Food Network officials are not releasing Fieri’s schedule this week, to keep crowds at the restaurants to a minimum. When Fieri visits an area, he watches chefs cook and chats with patrons in at least seven restaurants for his half-hour “Triple D” show.

Because three restaurants from different parts of the country are featured in each “Diners” show, the segments shot here will be seen over several months in the 39 new episodes produced each year.

Fieri also stars in three other shows: “Ultimate Recipe Showdown” and “Guy’s Big Bite” on Food Network, and NBC’s new “Minute To Win It” game show. He also has written two books about favorite “Diners” locations.

Though technically not a diner, dive or drive-in, Fieri said Terry’s Turf Club fits the TV show perfectly.

“Our show is about uniqueness. We’ve got to have a story, a character and real food,” Fieri said. “Terry is an eccentric, wild, funny, crazy guy with a passion for food.”

Before the national attention Monday, patrons had waited as long as two hours on Saturdays to be seated, said manager Tony Russo. What will lines be like after the show airs this spring?

“It could be double. But we thank people every time for their patience,” Russo said.

“Soon it will be summer, which is a good thing,” Carter said. “We’ve got a big holding area outside where people can wait.”